So I already created a post on a different thread about this topic, but I didnt get much responses. My 10 month old female (spayed) has ectopic ureters. Just got a call from the vet and its confirmed. She also says that is what has been causing her frequent UTIs because she is always wet and the bacteria is always there. We have insurance that will cover the cost of all her testing and UTIs to date (UAs, cultures, antibiotics, etc.) I live in Wisconsin and are getting a referral for a specialist at the UW MMADISON vet clinic. Im making this post in hopes of finding someone else that has had to deal with this problem. I am aware that even with a corrective surgery it would be a life long problem will leaking, frequent UTIs. To be honest, Im not sure how to handle this problem. It has put much strain on our day to day lives and my marriage. Does anyone know of a good rescue group that would take her with her current medical conditions if it comes down to it? I already feel aweful even considering it, but she may be more happy being an outside dog on a farm somewhere as she gets upset and embarrassed when she notices shes wet or leaves a puddle. Im at a loss for what to do. I could use some advice and/or words of encouragement.
Ectopic Ureters
- Thread starter Sadie2016
- Start date
Angela
Super Moderator
I'm so sorry to hear the diagnosis, was hoping it was not that.
Have you talked to her breeder about this! If not, then please tell them.
I can't answer your question about a rescue group taking her because I don't live in the U.S. But am sure someone will say.
Give her a hug from me.
Have you talked to her breeder about this! If not, then please tell them.
I can't answer your question about a rescue group taking her because I don't live in the U.S. But am sure someone will say.
Give her a hug from me.
Im not sure of the laws, but if it is legal I would gladly take her to a rescue in Canada, not that far for us. I just know that a corrective procedure is expebsive and theres a huge chance it wont work. Our specialty vet said $178 for consultation, $800 for CT scan, $2400- $3000 for repair surgery, not to mention the cost of medication, driving 2 hours one way, recheck appt and recheck CT, etc. My insurance has a $2500 limit for reimbursement per medical condition, so Im at a loss right now of what to do. I know I want to get the surgery done and see if it would work. If it does, great. If not, I think a rescue organization would be better equipped to deal with this problem.
I have spent the better half of today researching the topic as far as medications, etc. To be honest, at this point its hard to stay positive. All the signs and symptoms were there and my vet missed them. I was the one that asked for further testing. I wanted to wait to have her spayed until after her first heat cycle, and my vet recommended to do it early on to prevent breast cancer. Now ive read that bitches with ectopic ureters should not be spayed before their first heat because the problem could have resolved itself under that hormonal influence. I am never an angry person. But i am mad. Mad at the situation. Mad at the vet. Mad at everyone but my puppy. Is there anyone with advice on living with an incontinent dog?? I dont want to get rid of her and am getting a corrective procedure done. Maybe with that and medication the problem will be resolved. Does anyone know if there is a downside to nonsteroidal estrogen?
shellyk
New member
I feel your pain. We have a female Newf with spay incontinence. We waited 2 heat cycles with her prior to her spay learning from our mistake with our first dog's early neuter at our Vet's (former) advice. He was neutered as soon as his testicles descended @ 4 months. We didn't know any better. It's hard when you can't trust the advice of your Vet 
Our Lab has had two TPLO surgeries and the first thing the Orthopedic Surgeon asked was "When was he neutered?"!
We haven't had any bad side effects from her medication.
Our Lab has had two TPLO surgeries and the first thing the Orthopedic Surgeon asked was "When was he neutered?"!We haven't had any bad side effects from her medication.
Do you have any advice on how to deal with day to day life with an incontinent dog?? My dog needs to be let out every 1-2 hours and is primarily an indoor dog. I am getting her a special raised bed with a mesh support so if she ppes at night in her sleep it will run through and fall into a tray. That way she wont be wet and bacteria wont grow, hopefully anyways.
So, I got into a heated discussion with my hubby tonight and he wants her PTS. He says if it was found early on it would have already been done. I think its cruel to even consider before trying a repair surgery. However, the vet said her kidneys looked damaged. We are getting a CT scan to know to what extent, if it is manageable with meds, etc. The vet told me about urine scalding and long term damage of recurrent UTIs... I could really use some input here. My puppy seems to be happy as ever one minute and whines and whimpers the next.
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R Taft
Active member
My dog, Annabelle is on med for spay incontinence and my vet sells it in lots of 100, cheap and she has it once every three days.... it was every day. Shame that no one told you about early spaying brining a myriad of problems to the giants... I think even if you could talk to a good Rescue, just to chat about newfies and all the possibilities. it is why we seem to always have huge costs. I am not sure why your insurance would not pay for the surgery as well.... Have you thought of going to a Specialist centre and talking to them. I find urinary incontinence not such a huge issue. For my Annabelle when it started we had a waterproof bed and lots of washable bedding. I also made sure i took her potty, just like a puppy and I would quickly hose her off and dry her with the blower.
If it is causing marriage problems, then it sound that the dog might not be as treasure by one of you. We took turns in the potty department. But once she was on the right meds, she has been mostly great
If it is causing marriage problems, then it sound that the dog might not be as treasure by one of you. We took turns in the potty department. But once she was on the right meds, she has been mostly great
Sun Valley
New member
I'm an sorry to hear about this positive diagnosis. In almost 40 years of breeding, I have produced one ectopic. It was very evident at 3 weeks of age and I opted to euthanize her. I;m quite surprised your breeder never noticed it. I have talked to many other breeders who have also encountered this and have also opted for euthanasia. Other people who have had the latest surgeries and treatment options just have not worked and have also ended up putting the dog to sleep.
Spay incontinence is totally different then an ectopic and proin will NOT work on ectopic.
Spay incontinence is totally different then an ectopic and proin will NOT work on ectopic.
I am trying to process all of this, but its been difficult. My vet said the CT scan will show us more. I am more worried about her getting frequient UTIs and kidney infections. I guess a problem with her kidneys would also explain why shes only 80 lbs. I would be willing to try and live with it, even after a failed surgery if I knew it wasnt causing her pain and damage to her organs. The soonest I can get in for a scan is 2 weeks from tomorrow. I suspected something was wrong after she was housebroken but just attributed it to a uti. She 10 months old. Ive gotten attatched. I dont feel like i can just dispose of her until ive exhausted all options. Can she live a relatively normal life with this??
Small update: I had a blood draw done this morning (standard CBC) to check her kidney function and will have the results tomorrow. I found a newf rescue near me that has soecial grants to help with vet expenses, but they need to know if theres a good prognosis regarding her kidney function. I spoke with two women on the board of the national newf club. One had 2 pups with ectopic ureters. One was corrected with surgery and never had any more problems with leaking and UTIs and lived to be 11 1/2. Very promising! The other dog didnt get better after surgery and continued with leaking problems. Collagen injections helped a weak sphincter for 8 months and then went back to leaking, etc. Im willing to roll the dice, depending how her kidneys are functioning and results of CT scan, vet recommendation, etc.